ISO: economical 5-pt booster

[linda_loo]

My 4.5 yo has been using a Britax Parkway for a while now, but I am becoming increasingly nervous about her maturity and the 3-pt. She often leans over to reach for things and I worry about her safety. I am looking for a 5-pt booster that is around (or under) $100. I may actually buy 2 of them, and put my 3 yo in too, if I find one I like.

I have read a lot of threads here (both now and when I was booster shopping in the spring), and checked out a couple of your own personal websites that have pics of your kids in seats. But, I am still undecided. I am seeing that Regent, Recaro and Radian are all great seats, but we can't afford them.

dd is pretty average-sized, comes in 50th percentage-ish pretty much every appointment. She doesn't sleep in the car very often, but we do take a couple 8 hour car trips each year. Once I put the seat in my car, I don't move it around much at all, so ease of installation isn't *really* an issue. My '02 Sienna only has a tether hook on one side, though, so if my selection *has* to be tethered, I might have a problem. I don't want to go through the retrofit rigamarole at my dealer, last time I asked about this, they acted like they couldn't do it (even though I have seen websites where you can).

I have read reviews on some of these seats on target.com and amazon.com. It kind of seems like people really love them, or are disgruntled about how comfortable their child is, or the quality of the fabric.

What about...

Cosco Summit?
http://www.specialtybaby.com/cosudehibabo.html

Cosco Eddie Bauer High Back?
http://www.specialtybaby.com/coedbahibabo5.html

Evenflo Generations?
http://www.specialtybaby.com/evgehabo.html

Safety 1st Apex?
http://www.specialtybaby.com/sa1stap65boc1.html

Graco Platinum CarGo?
http://www.specialtybaby.com/grplcabocars.html

Thanks for your help, I appreciate it.

[calv]

hey cross post this on the car seat thread. I think there is a lot more activity over there

[kellyotn]

Cross off first two Cosco's. They have really short slots. http://www.carseatdata.org/csnumbers.html Lots of 4.5 year olds would be way too tall.

The rest would be good! The Cargo makes a so so booster, but you already have a nice booster so it isn't a concern for your situation.

The Cargo has 1/2" more room in slot height than the Evenflo. The Evenflo makes a better booster, but has a knob adjuster system that some people hate.

The Apex is kind of unknown. Some owners get 17", some 19". Its a mystery! The Red/Black one seems to be thought of as the taller one, but its not 100%. I'd lean toward the Apex, just because of the higher weight limit. It is bigger and bulkier, but if you aren't moving them a lot, I'd go that route! :)

I'd definitely tether any FF seat if at all possible though. I'm sure someone here can help with the part numbers and exactly what you need to say to the part dept. ;)

[Joolsplus2]

Evenflo, Graco, and ONLY the Cosco Apex will have all tall top slots (the other coscos are LOW, she's too tall already).

But what does she weigh now? Under 35, and a 40 pound limit is fine...it'll be awhile till she's 40. Over 35, and you want to go with a higher harness weight, like the Apex.

The Radian performs best without a top tether, the Apex doesn't require one, either. Only the Regent does after 50 pounds (but of course always top tethering is highly desirable). This page might help http://www.carseatsite.com/sienna.htm

I read recently that the Ride Safer Travel Vest can be used with a booster, might want to contact them or check out www.safetrafficsystem.com to find out if they mean the Parkway, then you can just double restrain her as needed? Also, pull the shoulderbelt all the way out and lock her in the Parkway...that might be the free-est solution :)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[linda_loo]

kellyotn - thanks so much for your help!

[linda_loo]

Julie - thanks so much for your response... you have helped me before and I really appreciate it!

dd4.5 is 38 pounds, dd3 (we are sort of looking ahead for her too, since she is a 95th percentile kind of kid) is 36 pounds. So, we ruled out all but the Apex, Recaro and the Regent.

We pinched a few pennies and ended up ordering 2 Regents from http://www.babynteendepot.com. Just to share the bargain, that was the best price I could find in a hurry - I didn't have any coupon codes for anywhere else; $239.99. I was happy that they accepted Paypal, as I had some money sitting in my account.

Thank you very much for the Sienna link. That is a much more detailed description, than what I could find when I first installed Marathons in my car (summer of 2003). I will definitely get moving on getting a tether going on that side.

[postmodernmommy]

You'll love your new Regents. Let us know how they work out!

Amy :)

[momtoB]

I read recently that the Ride Safer Travel Vest can be used with a booster

Julie
Just curious as to why you would want to use the vest with a bpb since the vest is designed to be used by itself? What is the advantage to that? Just curious.

Cheryl

[Joolsplus2]

I can't figure that out, either. Maybe if you had a super-houdini kid you could lock them in the vest and then clamp them into a recaro start? Maybe it's just a consumer-driven choice... I guess I can't fault them for trying to make it as user friendly as possible...maybe people put their kids in boosters to see out the window, anyway? Good to know it works... wonder if I can find a way to use my vest with a booster...hmm.... (I always like a carseat challenge, lol...I bet the vest would hold the dang shoulderbelt better off my son's shoulder in the middle of my crazy minivan...it's on MY Neck, that silly belt!)
Julie CPS Tech and mom to 3 in seats
http://www.cpsafety.com/articles/RFAlbum/SarahMA.aspx

[momtoB]

Julie,
I just wanted to let you know that I contacted Safe Traffic Systems about using the vest with a bpb and here's what I got as a reply:

Hello Cheryl:

Although the Ride Safer Travel Vest was crash tested in Canada in conjunction with a belt positioning booster, it is NOT recommended at this time.

Since the introduction of so many new Booster Seat designs and dimensions, we will be conducting additional tests with the newer designs of booster seats soon to assure that they are compatible with the Travel Vest.

I understand your concern about side impact protection. The Britax Regent's rigid construction may offer more lateral crash protection than the Travel Vest. If you choose the Travel Vest, you can use it in the center seating position with a top tether up to 60 pounds.

Please feel free to email or call me if I can be of further assistance.

--
Vera Fullaway
Technical Consultant
Safe Traffic System, Inc.
303-378-2932 voice
303-942-0811 fax
[email protected]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So that's a pretty clear answer and one I'm glad I took the time to ask about. I just thought you might want to know!

Cheryl